Visiting Beijing? Here is Your Go-To Guide for Food

Eat at the best Beijing restaurants with our handy dining guide. Experience all of the food Beijing has to offer with Spoonhunt.

· Food Guide,Beijing,Travel

Beijing, the capital of China, is a great location to get an authentic cultural experience in China, and for good reason: the city is over 3000 years old. There are so many amazing sites to see in Beijing, like the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace.

No matter where you go exploring in Beijing, or China for that matter, Spoonhunt has great dining options for you to check out nearby. Here are some of our favorites near the hot spots in Beijing.

To find the English menus for any of these restaurants in Beijing, search the Spoonhunt Shop ID in the Spoonhunt APP!

If you’re in Beijing, you pretty much have to try the authentic Roast Duck. This Beijing Duck place is just outside the east walls of the Forbidden City. No part of the bird should be spared. The skin is crispy and sweet and the meat is tender and juicy. Duck is a pretty pricy dish, but it’s absolutely worth it.

This rustic little Yunnan restaurant is known for its friendly staff, cute courtyard and authentic spicy Yunnan food. The local favorites include Mint Beef, Spicy Crayfish, Pineapple Rice and Yunnan Fried Cheese.

Best Hot Pot

Man Fu Lou Restaurant 满福楼大酒楼

Spoonhunt ID: 1290379

Address: 38 Di’An Men Street, Dongcheng District 东城区地安门内大街38号

Price per Person: 100 RMB

Unlike the spicy Chongqing Hot Pot, Beijing is known for its non-spicy, clear broth Mongolian Hot Pot. Man Fu Lou is a great and inexpensive option around the Forbidden City to get your Lamb Hot Pot fill. At Man Fu Lou, everyone gets their own small pot and dipping sauces.

Best Cafe

Esquires Coffee

Spoonhunt ID: 420768​

Address: 1 East Chang’an Street, Dongcheng District 东城区 东长安街1号

Price per Person: 40 RMB

This modern cafe just a few blocks east of the main gate to the Forbidden City is a great place to sit and drink some coffee. With a few leather couches and chair and a lot of intimate tables, this coffee shop is perfect to take a load off and rest your feet.

Best Western Restaurant

TRB Bites

Spoonhunt ID: 8324944​

Address: 95 Donghuamen Rad, Dongcheng Distrcit 东城区 东华门大街95号

Price Per Person: 150 RMB

This European restaurant has an absolutely prime location close to the moat of the Forbidden City. They have tons of options from fish and lobster to steaks, soups and salads. If you need a break from Chinese food, this is a must visit.

Located in the basement of Opposite House, this is a local favorite for Beijing Duck cooked over wood and dim sum. The mellow ambience, dim lighting and good service makes Jing Yaa Tang a great spot for those visiting the expat favorite Sanlintun neighborhood.

Best Chinese Restaurant

Tandao Hong Kong Tea Restaurant 檀岛香港茶餐厅

Spoonhunt ID: 8324945​

Address: Sanlitun next to Jingkelong Supermarket, Chaoyang District 朝阳区三里屯京客隆超市旁

Price Per Person: 70 RMB

Located just north of the Beijing Workers Stadium, this Hong Kong style tea house is great for wontons, dim sum and dessert. Highly rated by the local for its flavor and modern style, this restaurant is great for groups to try a bunch of different dishes.

Serving the well-known and popular spicy Chongqing hot pot, this restaurant is well known with the locals for it’s flavorful chili broth. The clean restaurant and fresh ingredients make it a very enjoyable dining experience. Many Chinese celebrities have visited this location.

Best Western Restaurant

Scott’s Family Ristorante Italiano 意大利家庭料理

Spoonhunt ID: 8324946​

Address: 4 East 3rd Street, Next to New Zealand Consolate, Chaoyang District 朝阳区 三里屯东三街4号(新西兰使馆对面)

Price Per Person: 80 RMB

This quaint little Italian restaurant is little known on travel sites but very raved about by locals. If you are visiting the neighborhood and want pizza, wine and other classic Italian dishes, Scott’s Family Ristorante Italiano is a perfect option.

A quick stop for western food, like pizza, french fries and chicken wings, Tube Station Pizza is a great place to grab a bite to eat after visiting the Summer Palace. The pizza is revered as being authentically American, one of the best in Beijing.

A little bit east of the Summer Palace, you can find this super popular Chinese seafood restaurant. Even the restaurant’s sign has actual fish swimming in it. Popular dishes include the pear balls with shrimp, spicy fried chicken and cheese shaped like a carp.

Just outside the beautiful Summer Palace sits this traditionally-styled Jiangsu restaurant. Being far from the center of Beijing means there will be less options, but Shiyangzhai is a gem. Here you can find cute dumplings made to look like animals, fish, soup and noodles all presented with care.

Chain Restaurants

Best Duck Chain Restaurant

Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant 大董烤鸭店 and Quan Ju De Roast Duck 全聚德烤鸭

Locations: All over the city, use Spoonhunt to find the one closest to you

Price Per Person: 100–250 RMB

In Beijing, there are two major Roast Duck chain restaurants battling for top spot. They are neck and neck in competition, but you can be sure their quality, service and taste will fulfill your expectations. Da Dong tends to be a little bit more expensive, but still mouth-wateringly amazing.

Best Cafe Chain

Wagas

Locations: 5 around the city, use Spoonhunt to find the one closest to you

Price Per Person: 75 RMB

Started in Shanghai, this Western Cafe chain has made its way to Beijing. Here you can get a nice cup of coffee, some pastries, a sandwich and dessert. It’s very popular with expats and locals alike.

Best Hot Pot Chain Restaurant

Haidilao Hot Pot 海底捞火锅

Locations: Over 20 in Beijing, use Spoonhunt to find the one closest to you

Price Per Person: 100 RMB

Probably the most famous Hot Pot restaurant chain in the world, Haidilao is known for its impeccable service. While most locations are very crowded every night, each has a nice waiting area where you can play games, get your shoes shined and your nails done while you wait for you table. Oh, and the food is all high quality.

Spoonhunt is your ultimate tool and service for finding restaurants, seeing English menus with pictures and ordering food all over China. We are dedicated to making all of China’s cuisine, from popular Western restaurants to the most local Chinese restaurants accessible to everyone. Follow us at Wechat ID: Spoonhunt or scan the QR code below to get started!